This week, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) introduced the third phase of the
“Culture for Her” project to about 57 relevant stakeholders within the districts of Kyegegwa and
Kasese in 2 inception meetings attended by the district leadership, local government officials,
civil society organisations, police, cultural leaders among others.
In Kasese district, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer welcomed CCFU to the district
while noting that the people of Kasese are thirsty for services and also very cooperative and
looking forward to working together to better our communities. The deputy prime minister of
Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu expressed gratitude for the coming of CCFU which in his view was
going to supplement the work that they are already doing to promote the positive aspects of their
culture while ensuring protection of the vulnerable groups of people including women.
In Kyegegwa, the cultural leaders emphasized that as the custodians of culture, they are more
than willing to make use of the available opportunities to promote the rights of women and girls;
and therefore, called upon the other stakeholders to engage and involve them as they handle
cases of family matters e.g. police, CDO, probation etc. they also expressed a desire to start
conducting Akaswa ka Tooro in Kyegegwa district, as an important cultural space for promoting
their positive cultural practices and norms.
The Foundation also conducted baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of
selected cultural leaders in Kyegegwa and Kasese districts on gender equitable social norms for
promoting gender equality. Several cultural leaders and other stakeholders including the
community development officers, were engaged in key informant interviews and focused group
discussions.
The 24 months project is aimed at strengthening the capacity of cultural institutions and their
communities to promote and protect the fulfilment of gender equality and human rights in a
culturally responsive environment in Uganda. It is implemented in collaboration with the
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Council of Traditional Leaders of
Africa (COTLA) – Uganda chapter (which brings together 18 gazetted cultural institutions) and
6 district local governments of Arua, Gulu, Kitgum, Kasese, Kyegegwa and Tororo with
financial support from UN Women in Uganda.
